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LONGING FOR SPIRITUAL FELLOWSHIP
FRIDAY, APRIL 7
Philippians 1:8

Psalm 133

 

“…how greatly I long after you all…”

 

LONGING FOR SPIRITUAL FELLOWSHIP
 
During the long months of lockdowns and restrictions that we all experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the whole world was suddenly made to isolate one from another. Churches were forced online, and all fellowship activities had to cease for a season. How did you feel during that period of time?
 
The fourth stanza of the hymn “Blest be the Tie that Binds” goes:
 
When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.
 
Such is the strength of the bonds of Christian fellowship, that it should pain us to be parted one from another. At every departure, our hope is that we can soon be reunited. Is that a longing that you have experienced before?
 
That was the sentiment of Paul as he wrote to the Philippians, telling them, “how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:8). As Paul was languishing in prison in Rome, what he missed was their fellowship. The contact he yearned for was not just a social gathering, of idle banter or meaningless chit-chat. What he longed for was the spiritual fellowship and encouragement that he had previously experienced with the Philippians.
 
He described it as greatly longing after them in “the bowels of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:8). The Bible often uses “bowels” in the way that we would use “heart,” referring to the seat of our emotions. The longing he had of them was a true spiritual longing, the same way the heart and tender mercies of Christ long and yearn for us too. He loved them, with a Christ-like affection, just as Christ loves the Church.
 
Have we ever tasted such fellowship before? When we all draw near to Christ and grow in our love for Him, we will naturally draw near to our fellow believers as well.
 
THOUGHT: Do I enjoy the company of believers or unbelievers more?
PRAYER: Father, may Thou increase the love and affection that I have for my fellow believers.

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